Quebec Winter Getaway with Hôtel de Glace

With a gorgeous mountainous topography, a mighty river and a unique French culture, Québec has a lot to offer visitors all year long. Winter is an especially scenic time in the province and this excursion makes it easy to explore the province’s two largest cities by rail with the added bonus of exploring the incredible Ice Hotel.

Day 1: Arrive in Montréal
Get ready to fall in love with the vibrant culture of scenic Montréal. Set on an island at the confluence of the St. Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers, Montréal is the largest urban centre in the province. You’ll spend three nights in the city, giving you lots of time to explore.

Overnight in Sens Hotel Montreal (or similar)

Day 2-3: Explore Montréal
Whether there’s a sprinkling of snow on the trees or a foot of snow on the ground, winter turns Montréal into a cozy oasis. With great food at the core of city life, be sure to include lots of stops for meals, warm beverages and snacks as you explore the city independently. There are excellent public transportation options to get around the city without a car or bundle up and explore on foot.

Visit the well-preserved town centre of Old Montréal (Vieux-Montréal), stop in the Notre Dame Basilica, or rent some skates and go for a spin on the ice in the Old Port. Montréalers don’t shy away from winter, so you’ll find a lot happening outdoors from festivals and markets to winter activities at Mount Royal Park and a vibrant nightlife downtown.

If time allows, we highly recommend a visit to the Montréal Biodôme, a science museum unlike any other in Canada. Here you’ll get to experience five unique ecosystems of the Americas in an interactive setting.

Overnight in Sens Hotel Montreal (or similar)

Day 4: Montreal to Quebec City and the Hôtel de Glace
Take a taxi to the Montréal train station and board your scenic VIA Rail train to Québec City. Once you arrive, take another taxi to the Ice Hotel (located approximately 35 minutes north of the city). Tonight you will be experiencing one of Canada’s most unique overnight stays.

While the exact design of the annual Ice Hotel is a well-guarded secret, each year the designers come up with a breathtaking masterpiece that is made of custom-made ice blocks and centred around a unique theme. The magical atmosphere includes ice sculptures, snow arches, fireplaces and a welcoming vibe.

Everything inside is geared towards a cozy experience, from the warm sleeping bags to the deer pelts covering the ice beds. Admire the craftsmanship of the hotel’s many rooms and enjoy a welcome cocktail at the ice bar before settling in for the night. Guests of the Ice Hotel also have an included room at the regular hotel onsite, where warm showers and amenities are all available. Onsite you will also find a winter park with plenty of activities to keep you busy.

Overnight in Ice Hotel

Day 5: Explore Quebec City
After experiencing the gorgeous morning light as it filters through the frosty structure of the Ice Hotel, make your way to Québec City to start your two-night stay in one of the continent’s oldest French settlements. This walkable city has pedestrian-friendly cobblestone streets, stone archways for capturing incredible pictures and even a toboggan slide on the famous Dufferin Terrace to get the heart racing.

The only North American walled city north of Mexico, Québec City is well known for its unique European atmosphere and is considered the birthplace of French North America. In the winter, the city transforms into a snowy wonderland — spectacularly lit up by twinkling lights in the evenings.

Overnight in Hotel Palace Royal (or similar)

Day 6: Explore Quebec City
No visit to Québec City is complete without a walk through the heart of the Old City, which is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your included Grand Walking Tour covers all the bases. Start in the Upper Town where you’ll admire the view of the grand Fairmont Chateau Frontenac (said to be the most photographed hotel in the world) and see the ice-covered St. Lawrence from the famous Dufferin Terrace. Your guide will tell you about the city’s long history that dates back to the 1600s and point out important architectural gems. Then you’ll make your way down to Lower Town, where you’ll stroll through the many spectacular cobblestone streets and alleyways that define the oldest parts of the city.

Overnight Hotel Palace Royal (or similar)

Day 7: Quebec City to Montreal
After one final breakfast in charming Québec City, take a taxi to the train station to board your VIA Rail train back to Montréal.

This package includes one night in the Ice Hotel and 5 nights in 4-star accommodations. It is possible to upgrade this package to include stays at the legendary Fairmont Queen Elizabeth (Montréal) and the Fairmont Chateau Frontenac (Québec City) OR upgrade to boutique hotels such as the Hotel Place d’Armes in Montréal and the Auberge St-Antoine in Québec City.